Multi-Sensory Experience and Preferences for Children in an Urban Forest Park: A Case Study of Maofeng Mountain Forest Park in Guangzhou, China
Jian Xu, Lingyi Chen, Tingru Liu, Tao Wang, Muchun Li, Zhicai Wu
Abstract
This study developed an analysis based on children’s multi-sensory experiences and preferences in urban forest park to make practical suggestions for the design of children’s activity areas. Taking Maofeng Mountain Forest Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province as a case study, based on a face-to-face survey and online questionnaire survey, this study analyzed children’s multi-sensory landscape preferences in the park and explored the influence of multi-sensory experiences on children’s behavioral experience by establishing a structural equation model. The results reveal that visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory sensations were significantly correlated with children’s behavioral experiences. In terms of landscape preference, children preferred landscapes in blue-green tones, original building materials and challenging entertainment programs. Based on these analysis results, the design recommendations for children’s activity areas in urban forest parks are discussed.